In an open letter to all South Africans‚ Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula as well as the Human Rights Commission — which is investigating him — Matthew Theunissen on Thursday apologised for his racially derogatory Facebook post‚ which he acknowledged had “caused hurt that will take a long time to heal”.
Theunissen’s comments targeted black South Africans after the Minister of Sport decided to withhold international sporting competitions from coming to the country until the codes sort out their transformation problems.
The open letter was sent to IOL by his father’s lawyer.
He promised to find a way to make reparations‚ saying: “I cannot overemphasise the regret that I have... and realise that there will be‚ at least in the near future‚ no possible way for my words used in this apology to convince you of my sincerity. I will however strive to make every effort to show you that this apology is not without substance and I will take every opportunity to make amends.”
The open letter‚ also stated: “In spite of my academic education there are clearly lessons to be learnt in life that cannot be derived from a textbook. I consider this to be one of the most valuable lessons to have learnt and while having to endure the hate and anger from so many people‚ can only pray that there will be an opportunity afforded to me one day to make a positive impact and to prove to many that I am not a hateful or inherently ‘evil’ person.”
Theunissen has two Masters degrees‚ one each from Stellenbosch and Holland’s Utrecht universities.
A grovelling apology was made to Mbalula: “Minister‚ you have made countless efforts and strides in the Department of Sports and Recreation to unify South Africa and to uphold constitutional values that seek to make South Africa the great nation that it is. I have no doubt that my statement was offensive and would‚ despite your position‚ have caused you personal pain. There is no excuse for me using the language that I did and I can only avail myself to you‚ your mercy and direction as to how I can begin to make right the damage I caused you.”
To his family and friends‚ Theunissen said: “I have been surrounded by goodness and love my entire life‚ which is what makes my behaviour a more difficult reality for you to have endured recently...I have disappointed you and caused hurt that will take a long time to heal. I am deeply sorry and ask that you forgive me.”
Matthew Theunissen promises to make amends for using racial slurs on Facebook
Theunissen’s comments targeted black South Africans after the Minister of Sport decided to withhold international sporting competitions from coming to the country until the codes sort out their transformation problems.
The open letter was sent to IOL by his father’s lawyer.
He promised to find a way to make reparations‚ saying: “I cannot overemphasise the regret that I have... and realise that there will be‚ at least in the near future‚ no possible way for my words used in this apology to convince you of my sincerity. I will however strive to make every effort to show you that this apology is not without substance and I will take every opportunity to make amends.”
The open letter‚ also stated: “In spite of my academic education there are clearly lessons to be learnt in life that cannot be derived from a textbook. I consider this to be one of the most valuable lessons to have learnt and while having to endure the hate and anger from so many people‚ can only pray that there will be an opportunity afforded to me one day to make a positive impact and to prove to many that I am not a hateful or inherently ‘evil’ person.”
Theunissen has two Masters degrees‚ one each from Stellenbosch and Holland’s Utrecht universities.
A grovelling apology was made to Mbalula: “Minister‚ you have made countless efforts and strides in the Department of Sports and Recreation to unify South Africa and to uphold constitutional values that seek to make South Africa the great nation that it is. I have no doubt that my statement was offensive and would‚ despite your position‚ have caused you personal pain. There is no excuse for me using the language that I did and I can only avail myself to you‚ your mercy and direction as to how I can begin to make right the damage I caused you.”
To his family and friends‚ Theunissen said: “I have been surrounded by goodness and love my entire life‚ which is what makes my behaviour a more difficult reality for you to have endured recently...I have disappointed you and caused hurt that will take a long time to heal. I am deeply sorry and ask that you forgive me.”
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